/morsl/taxonomy/term/131/all en /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/lunar-new-year <p>Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar. Celebrated by numerous communities across the world, the holiday has come to mean many things beyond its calendrical significance.</p> Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:04:44 +0000 Qian Xun (Sherry) Tie 2728 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/groundhog-day <p>Groundhog Day (Feb. 2) is not a religious holiday, but it is the title of a classic 1993 comedy that has been discussed by spiritual thinkers since it was released. The main character, Phil Connors, an arrogant, unfriendly and sarcastic news anchor, becomes trapped in a time loop while on an assignment he sees as below him. Every morning for a lengthy but undefined period of time, he wakes up to the same radio show playing Sonny and Cher's "I've Got You Babe" in a bed and breakfast in Punxsutawney, PA. He has travelled there to cover Groundhog's Day festivities.</p> Wed, 31 Jan 2024 19:46:31 +0000 Candice Wendt 2724 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/muslim-awareness-week <p>Muslim Awareness Week (MAW) is a yearly week of solidarity and exchange where people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs are invited to learn about the achievements, contributions, aspirations and concerns of Quebecers of Muslim faith.</p> Wed, 31 Jan 2024 20:10:22 +0000 MORSL 2725 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/international-holocaust-remembrance-day <p>When the Russians arrived at Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, Primo Levi wasn’t wearing a beret. He and his camp-mate, Charles, had just taken Sómogyi’s remains outside. He had died in the night. The Russians arrived right at that moment. Levi later wrote, “Charles took off his beret.</p> Wed, 24 Jan 2024 20:48:21 +0000 Rachel Hatcher 2721 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days-interfaith-dialogue/ratha-yatra-festival-india <p>On July 8, 2023, I attended the Ratha Yatra Festival of India with MORSL staff and ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ students during a My Neighbour’s Faith Event. It was a moving experience to be immersed in Hindu traditions downtown in the streets of Montreal! Here are some of the things I learned before and during the event.</p> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:21:38 +0000 Candice Wendt 2569 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days-spiritual-wellness/celebrating-ascension-abdul-baha <p>An experience celebrating the Ascension of Abdu'l-Bahá (November 28, 2021) brought some spiritual light and joy into my life at a time I needed it.</p> Tue, 16 May 2023 13:45:48 +0000 Candice Wendt 2556 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/celebrating-vaisakhi <p>Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is a significant festival celebrated during springtime by Sikhs and Hindus in India and around the world. It marks the beginning of the new solar year, and it holds great significance for both Sikhs and Hindus. For Sikhs, it is a day of immense importance as it marks the formation of the Khalsa, a community of Sikhs who are dedicated to living their lives according to the principles of Sikhism.</p> Wed, 05 Apr 2023 20:21:08 +0000 MORSL 2529 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-passover <p>Happy Passover! Passover (Pesah) is an important festival in Jewish communities, and it commemorates the departure of Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is observed over eight days, the first two and last two days are observed as holy days. The evenings of the first and second days begin with Seders, festive meals which involve the telling of the ancient Passover story. The final day of Passover marks the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea, as related in The Book of Exodus.</p> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:15:20 +0000 MORSL 2531 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/celebrations-during-holy-week <p>Holy Week, celebrated from April 2nd to April 8th this year, is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. It is the week preceding Easter, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday. During Holy Week, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and his Resurrection. The week includes five days of special significance. </p> <p>At the start of Holy Week, Palm Sunday celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated with a blessing and procession of palms.</p> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:55:16 +0000 MORSL 2532 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/happy-naw-ruz <p>This year, March 21st marks the Bahá'í new year. Bahá'ís celebrate Naw-Ruz, or New Year's day, on the annual vernal equinox. Symbolizing spring-time, change, and renewal, Naw-Ruz also marks the end of the 19-day Bahá'í fast.</p> <p>Naw-Ruz usually entails singing, dancing, eating, and socializing. However, Naw-Ruz is more than just a party - it also reminds us of the oneness of all the messengers of God, and the spiritual springtime they each brought to humanity. </p> Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:30:54 +0000 MORSL 2516 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/women-peace-making-and-purim <p>On Wednesday March 8th (<a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-Events-this-Week-%28Mar.-6---12%29&utm_source=Envoke-All-contacts&utm_term=MORSL-News-and-Community-Event-Listings%3A-March-6-12">International Women's Day</a>), the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Women’s Alumnae Association will host an <a href="https://www.alumni.mcgill.ca/aoc/events-travel/EventDetails.php?id=NDkwNjU=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-Events-this-Week-%28Mar.-6---12%29&utm_source=Envoke-All-contacts&utm_term=MORSL-News-and-Community-Event-Listings%3A-Ma</body></html>"></a></p> Wed, 08 Mar 2023 21:04:19 +0000 Sana Mohtadi 2506 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/celebrating-holi-festival-colours <p>Holi is one of the biggest celebrations in the Hindu tradition, and today Hindus all around the world will be celebrating with an abundance of colours, water balloons, and flowers. Holi represents the victory of good over evil, and the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. </p> Wed, 29 Mar 2023 20:12:13 +0000 MORSL 2523 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/celebrating-shrove-tuesday <p>Shrove Tuesday, also known as "pancake day," might not be familiar, but its other name, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), likely is! How are these celebrations from the same religious tradition, and how are pancakes and shiny beads/partying related?</p> Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:12:10 +0000 MORSL 2521 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-tu-bshevat <p>Beginning at sundown on February 5th and lasting until February 6th at nightfall, Tu B'Shevat is one of four New Year's days in Judaism. Tu B’Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Nowadays, it is a day for environmental awareness and action such as tree planting.</p> <p>We asked Sophie Sklar of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chabadatmcgill/?__tn__=kK*F">Chabad at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ</a> more on the details of this celebration in Judaism:</p> Wed, 25 Jan 2023 20:19:57 +0000 MORSL 2454 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-tet <p>January 22nd, 2023, marks one of the most important celebrations in Vietnamese culture, Tet. Tet celebrates the beginning of a new year and the coming of spring time. It is based on the lunar calendar, which is why Chinese New Year is generally celebrated around the same time. This year, Tet marks the beginning of the Year of the Cat in the Vietnamese zodiac calendar.</p> <p>Here is a reflection from the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Vietnamese Students' Association - MVSA on how one can celebrate this special day:</p> Wed, 11 Jan 2023 19:58:30 +0000 MORSL 2430 at /morsl